Edinburgh film festival moves to June after 60 years

Organisers of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) have announced plans to hold the event two months earlier next year, in a bid to move outside the city’s renowned festival season. The switch will see the film festival take place June 18-29. Hannah McGill, EIFF artistic director, claims the move makes “artistic and commercial sense”. The event has been staged in August for 60 years, competing with the like of Venice and Toronto for appearances by Hollywood stars.

Sir Sean Connery, EIFF patron, welcomed the decision. “Changing the dates of the film festival will create space for a modern, forward-thinking event that offers higher status and an individual identity to film culture,” he said. This year’s festival, which will be held August 15-26, will feature Samantha Morton and Tilda Swinton, as well as directors Stephen Frears and Mike Leigh.